Hello foto funding

THE Ballarat International Foto Biennale has received one of three Building Better Regions grants from Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King.

BIFB is receiving $20,000 for their upcoming photography project, Hello Wendouree, Hello Australia featuring artist, Erin McCuskey.

The project will see a curation of film and portraits featuring people of Wendouree West.

The community’s collective stories, including from local schools and the general public, will be curated by McCuskey and BIFB at Stockland Wendouree.

Once completed, the finished work will be displayed at the Bridge Mall during the Biennale between August and October. Video projections will play inside a shipping container and further photos will be ‘wallpapered’ onto the ground surrounding it.

BIFB festival and creative director, Fiona Sweet, hopes this will attract more visitors and locals to the Bridge Mall.

“This project, it’s community, but then there’s the economic impact of the Biennale as the outcome as well,” she said.

The Golden City Paddle Steamer has also secured a $20,000 grant for their Best O Lake photography exhibition, while the Central Highlands Tourist Railway is receiving $40,000.

The Building Better Regions Fund is an Australian Government initiative aiming to create jobs, drive economic growth and strengthen communities.

There has been $45 million allocated to support tourism infrastructure projects through the fund this round.